College football: Joe vs. Pro, Week 11

Since allowing 42 points to Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, the Alabama Crimson Tide has outscored four Southeastern Conference opponents 121-10 in first three quarters of games. Nick Saban, who has been busy shooting down coaching rumors this week, has his team playing near-perfect football heading into its biggest game of the season. A 12-point spread against Les Miles and Louisiana State seems a bit much, but it’s a fair representation of the wide gulf between Alabama and the rest of the SEC this season.

Another wide gulf: the expertise of the Pro in analyzing matchups compared with resident Miami Herald novice picker Joe Goodman. For the Pro, Lee Sterling of ParamountSports.com, last week was a return to his normal winning ways. Sterling went 5-3 against the spread and 7-1 straight up. Joe managed to somehow break even against the spread (4-4) and went 6-2 straight up. Predictably, because he’s the Pro, Sterling is an amazing 48-29-3 against the spread this season and 57-23 straight up. Joe is 40-37-3 against the spread and 58-22 straight up. On to the picks!

North Carolina State at Duke, Duke by 9

Joe’s pick: With four consecutive victories entering this weekend, the Blue Devils are already bowl eligible. Everything else is just gravy. I have no idea why we’re picking this game. No one cares. Duke 38, North Carolina State 25

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Pro’s pick: Both Wolfpack quarterbacks continue to struggle while Blue Devils QB Anthony Boone is 6-0 as a starter. Defense also doing its part the past three games, holding opponents to 13 PPG. Duke 34, North Carolina State 21

Florida State at Wake Forest, Florida State by 34 1/2

Joe’s pick: FSU quarterback Jameis Winston had a rare off game against the Canes and the Noles still won by 27 points. Florida State 52, Wake Forest 14

Pro’s pick: Wake Forest’s only weapon, WR Michael Campanaro, is out for this game. I bet he’s not too upset after seeing what FSU defense did to Duke Johnson and his teammates last week. Florida State 49, Wake Forest 10

Pro’s pick: Without Duke Johnson, the Canes will be forced to the air it out more often. That’s where the Hokies’ secondary and its 16 interceptions feasts on Stephen Morris’ propensity for throwing the ball to the other team. Virginia Tech 27, Miami 26

Vanderbilt at Florida, Florida by 9 1/2

Joe’s pick: Fans are used to leaving homecoming at UF by the third quarter, but they’ll have to stay until the end for this one. Florida 25, Vanderbilt 21

Pro’s pick: At 4-4 straight up, this is a must-win for the Gators just so they could possibly play in a low-level bowl game. As bad as the UF quarterback situation is, Vanderbilt’s two quarterbacks are worse. Florida 27, Vanderbilt 13

Pro’s pick: Wolverines average 40 points per game and have the 14th-ranked run defense. The Cornhuskers’ claim to fame this year is that they had the best Hail Mary touchdown pass to win a game. Michigan 38, Nebraska 21